Microbiological survey of automated teller machines (atm) in Calabar metropolis

Full Length Research Article

MICROBIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES (ATM) IN CALABAR

METROPOLIS

1

_{Iquo. B, Otu-Bassey,}

_{Mbah. M., Usang, A. I.,}

_{Konlak. D. Gilbert and}

_{Daniel, H.B.}

1

_{Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria PMB 1115 Calabar}

2

_{School of Health Technology Calabar, Nigeria}

3

_{Department of Microbiology University of Calabar, Nigeria PMB 1115 Calabar}

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

The Key pads of seventy four (74) Automated Teller machines (ATMS) were examined in Calabar Metropolis to determine the public health implications of microorganisms isolated from the machines and their potentials as reservoirs of microbes. Swab sticks dipped in sterile peptone water and swabbed on the ATM keypads were cultured, physiological and biochemical analysis carriedout to identify the organisms. The results showed that the ATM keypads harbored microbes. Fifty two (70.3%) of the ATM sampled were contaminated with various microbial pathogens including: Coagulase negative staphylococci 22 (38.5%), Staphylococci aureus

12(21.1%), Enterococci 4 (4.7%), Escherichia coli 4(4.7%), Klebsiellaspp 2(3.8%). Others were

Aspergillusspp 3(5.8%), Rhizopus 3 (5.8%) and penicilliumSpp 2(3.8%). Parasites were not detected. Greater hygiene measures especially regular hand-washing before and after ATM use is advocated.

Copyright © 2015 Iquo. B, Otu-Bassey et al.This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

INTRODUCTION

Microorganisms are very small organisms, which can only by seen with the aid of a microscope (Christner et al., 2008) however they are capable of being put to great good and can equally cause great harm. Micro organisms will include bacteria, fungi and protoctists (Science daily, 2012). There are about one hundred and fifty nine thousand (159,000) known species, of micro organisms in existence although this is thought to be less than five percent (5%) of the total microbes in existence (Bernd and Bill, 2011).Micro organisms are ubiquitous and have an amazing ability to adapt to new environments and further multiply in large numbers within a very short time (Ogilrie and Hirsch, 2012). Their ability to adapt and multiply on various surfaces and in different environments is key to their being found on soil surfaces, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste water, deep in the earth’s crust, as well as organic matter and life bodies of plants and animals (Balkwill et al, 1997). This realization has given rise to a new but interesting aspect of study which focuses on the interaction between microbes with cyber appliances and their implication for the end user of such cyber systems – man.

*Corresponding author: Dr. Maurice Mbah,

School of Health Technology Calabar, Nigeria

In the past, common assumption was that science and if ill but today, we understand that science and technology holds property harnessed great capacity for mass destruction and harm as it does have potential for mass good (http://www.sciencedaily.com, 2013).Studies by the United Statescentre for disease control (2005), has revealed that microorganisms could be passed from contaminated hands to cyber appliances such as the surface of the keyboard of automated teller machines and subsequently passed on to other unsuspecting users of the appliance. The automated Teller Machine (ATM), which may be called a cash point machine, cash machine or a hole in a wall is a computer supported telecommunication device that enables the client of a financial institution carry out banking transactions from almost anywhere in the world were an ATM is available (http://www. About.com, 2011). Considering that most users of the ATM are largely ignorant of the potential hazards they face each time they use an ATM, this work investigates the microorganisms that could be isolated from ATM keyboards and the public health implication of such.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was carried out in Calabar metropolis, comprising two local government areas – Calabar South and

ISSN: 2230-9926

International Journal of Development Research

Vol. 5, Issue, 10, pp. 5761-5765, October,2015

DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH

Article History:

Received 26th _{July, 2015}

Received in revised form 12th _{August, 2015}

Accepted 19th _{September, 2015}

Published online 31st _{October, 2015}

Key Words:

CalabarMunicipality respectively. Seventy four Automated Teller Machines being the total identified useable machines in the town were sampled by swabbing with peptone water immersed swab sticks. Standard bacteriological, mycological and parasitological methods were employed in the analysis of the sample. Presumptive identification of bacterial isolates was by cellular morphology, Gram staining reaction, motility, catalase, indole production test, urease test, oxidase strip test and kleigler Iron Agartest. Fungal identification was by cultural and morphological characteristics as reported by Samson et al, (1984). Samples were analyzed for parasites by rinsing the swab in 10ml sterile normal saline which was spun at 1800rpm for 5 minutes to concentrate the parasites. The supernatant was discarded. The sediment was placed on a grease free glass slide covered with a clean cover slip and viewed under the microscope using the appropriate magnifying objectives (Cheesbrough, 2000).

RESULTS

The data obtained from this work were analyzed using Analysis of variance and simple percentage, while bar charts were employed in data representation. The results are shown in Tables 1-4.

DISCUSSION

This study has demonstrated the microbial contamination of ATM keypads in CalabarMetropolos, corroborating the work of Stephen Abban (2011). Of the seventy four ATM keypads sampled, 52 (70.3%), were shown to be contaminated with various micro organism 45 (60.%) of which were bacterial and 7 (15.6%) fungal. This is a relatively high percentage of contamination and is consistent with the work of Eltablawy and Elhifnawi, 2009 which showed 99-100% contamination rates for keypads sampled. These levels of contamination could be detrimental to the health of ATM users. The high level of contamination is possibly as a result of frequency of usage, poor hygiene status of users and environmental condition around the ATMs. Table 1 shows the microbial contamination of ATMs based on their locations in Calabar. The ATM’s located in Hospitals were most contaminated (100%) while those in fast food centers were least contaminated (50%). The levels of contamination could be linked to several factors ranging from frequency of machine use, hygiene status of users and the surrounding environment. The levels of contamination on ATM keypads located at hospitals is not strange as several research works have shown

Table 1. Microbial contamination of atm’s based on their locations in calabar

Location No of ATMs Examined No of Positive for Microbes Total No of Organisms isolated Bacteria Fungi parasites

Banks 56 34 (60.7) 5(8.9) 0 (0.00) 39 (69.6)

Shopping malls 7 4 (57.1) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.00) 4(57.1) Fast food centers 2 1(50.0) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.00) 1(50.0)

Hospitals 3 2(66.6) 1(3.3) 0 (0.00) 3)100.0)

Campuses 6 4(66.6) 1(16.7) 0 (0.00) 5(83.3)

Total 74 45(60.8) 7(15-6) 0 (0.00) 52(70.3)

Table 2. Frequencies of Organisms Isolated

Organisms isolated Frequency Percentage (%) BACTERIA

Escherichioa coli 4 7.7

Staphylococcus aureus 12 23.1

Coagulase negative staphylococci 20 38.5

Enterococci SPP 4 7.7

Aeromonasspp 2 3.8

KlebsiedlaSpp 2 3.8 FUNGI

Aspergillusspp 3 5.8

Penicilliumspp 2 3.8

Rhizopusspp 3 5.8

Total 52 100%

Table 3. Bacterial contaminants and their identifcation characteristics

SH

AP

E

GRAM MEILITY CATALA

SE

COALU

LAS

E

IN

DO

LE

STRIN

G

UREA LACTOS

E

OX

ID

AS

E

K KI

A Organisms Isolated

GA

S

H2

S

BUTT SLO

OP

Rod - + + + Y Y Esherichia Coli

Cocci + + + + Y Y Staphylococcusaureus

Cocci + + - V V Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus

Rod - + + Aeromonasspp

Rod _ + + Y Y Klesiella Pneumonia

Cocci + V + Enterococcus spp

KEY:

that microbes find a ready and welcomed place in hospital settings, because most persons don’t keep simple hygiene protocol (Gaynes et al., 2007, Burke, 2003) Chairman et al, 2011). It is equally common knowledge, especially among health experts that microbes are ubiquitous in the hospital environment and could perch on any material or equipment around (Chairman et al, 2011). Keypads of ATMs located within and around campuses ranked next to those I hospitals, in levels of contamination, revealing that users of the ATM on campuses are not acquainted with simple hygiene tips. Keypads of ATMs located in banks and fast food centers were least contaminated. This differs with the work by Oluduro et al. (2011) which had more contamination in Keypads located in banks than those located elsewhere. The frequent and heavy usage was giving as a possible reason for those levels of contamination on the ATM keypads in banks.

The Coagulasenegativestaphlylococcus was the most frequently isolated bacterial organism (38.5%); possibly due to the fact that they reside on the skin and mucus membranes of humans and other organisms and equally from a small component of the soil microbial flora (Madigam and Martinko, 2005). Coagulase negative Staphylococcus is known to be responsible for several infections such as bacteriamia, endocarditis, vrinary tract in fections and endophtalmit is (Heubner and Goldmann, 1999). This study also establishes the presence of Staphycococcusaureus (23.1%) onthe ATM keypads. A work on Automated teller machines in Ebonyi State, Nigeria carried out by Akoro et al. 2013 showed that Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous and can be found on several exposed surfaces.

They cause illnesses ranging from pimples, boils, pneumoria and meningitis (Books et al, 2013). Esherichia Coli and Enterococci Spp. were the third most isolated organisms (4.7%) respectively. Both organisms have something in common – there are enteric pathogens. In other words they are linked with gastro enteritis (Beriot and Denis, 2000). This may suggest some form of fecal contamination of the keypads, most likely from contaminated and unwashed hands. The isolation of E. coli and Enterococci species differs with the works carried out by Collier, 1998; WHO, 2004 and Abban et al, 2011 where Aeromonas and Klebbsiella species were the least isolated bacterial organisms (3.8%). The reason may be attributed to the microbial pattern among users of the ATMs and environmental conditions as supported by Lenox et al, 2011.

Fungal organisms such as Aspergillus fumigates, Rhizopusazygosporus and Penicilliummarneffei, were isolated with the frequency 5.8% and 3.8% respectively. These fungal isolates have their health implications like their bacterial counterparts (Adamu et al., 2012) and inhabit the soil and air (Joanne et al., 2008), hence can be found on several surfaces. Parasites could not be detected on any of the ATM keypads sampled, may be due to the period of sample collection, prevailing environmental conditions, the highly mobile nature of some parasites and hygiene status of the ATM user. Lawrence et al in 2013 observed that detecting parasites could be very difficult, chiefly because they hide and secondly because most available methods are not sensitive enough to pick up the parasites. Other research works show that parasites can be detected on paper money (Uneke et al, 2007)

Table 4. Fungal contaminants and their identification characteristics

Fungal species Morthology

Microscopic Colornial

AspergillusFumin gatus

Conidiophore = short, small and greenish, though may appear colourlessatimes

Phialides = uniseriate and viside have around columnar head

Appears blue green to gray on the surface and white to tan on the revers

TPenicilliumMar neffei

Conidiophore = has both simple and branched conidighors with metube.

Phialides = have brush – like clusters referred to as “Penicill”. Conidia = Appear as round, unicellular and unbranching chains

The colories are cottony in texture. There are initially whitish bhish-gray green at centre and white at the periphery. The red, rapidly cliffusing, soluble pigment observed from the reverse is very typical. At 370_c,

penicillurmarneffeicolories are cream to slightly pink in color and glabrous to convoluted in texture

Rhizopusazygosp orus

They have sparely septakephyphae,

sporangiophorethizoids. Sporangiophores are brown in colorand usually branched can grow solitary.

Has a cotton candy like texture. Appears white initially and turns grey to yellowish on the surface, with time. The reverse appears white too.

Table 5. Statistical Analysis of data using analysis of varance (anova)

Location of ATM No of Organisms isolated(n) Mean (X) Standard deviation (SD)

Banks 39 10.5 2.6

Shopping malls 4 5.2 2.0

Fast food centres 1 3.5 1.0

Hospitals 3 4.6 2.5

Campuses 2 6.3 1.8

Total 52 30.1 9.9

Table 6. Summary of data for the one-way analysis of variance (anova)

Source of variation SS Df Mean square (ms) F Cal.value No line Signficance of F

Between group 180.317 5.0 36.06 4.11 3.51

Within group 42.083 480 8.76 No line No line

Parasites and bacterial transmission by paper currency are common in Nigeria especially among food related workers (Hassan et al 2011). It has been reported that parasites such as mites have the ability of crawling long distances and if an infected person happens to scratch an infected area of the body, the parasites get into the fingernails and where the individual gets to touch objects like Atms or naira notes, the mites can drop there and infect other people (Joy, 2013). In Table 3 the identification characteristics of each of the isolated bacterial organism is shown. This follows standard procedure for bacterial identification and isolation. The identification characteristics of fungal contaminants are shown in Table 4. This is based on their microscopic and colonial characteristics. Table 5 and 6 are a summary of the statistical representation of the data obtained in the study. This work has established that ATM keypads can harbor potentially hazardous organisms, hence the need for adequate public health awareness.

Conclusion

The research has confirmed the presence of pathogenic bacterial and fungal species on ATM keypads, with possible health implications. The microbes isolated are coagulase negative staphycococcus, staphycoccusaruesus, Escherichia coli, Enterrococaspp, Aeromonasspp, Klebsiellaspp, Aspergillusfunningatus, Rhizopusazygosporus and Penicilliummarneffei. If pathogens can be found on ATM keypads, it is simple to understand why there are concerns about public health safety. The need to marry technological innovation with safe and healthy use is therefore strongly advocated in the light of current findings. This therefore presents a collective public responsibility to see that measures are in place to ensure that transfer of infections via ATMs is reduced to the barest minimum and if possible completely eradicated.

Recommendations

 That public health care be prioritized and emphasized while machinery is put in place by government and non-governmental organization on simple hygiene tips

 Banks and owners of ATMs place notices close to the machines directing users on the best hygiene practices when using the ATMs

 Simple hand washing exercise be encouraged before and after use of ATMs

 As a policy, hand washing posts must be set up very close to every ATM point.

 The use of copper and copper-alloy materials as ATM keypads is strongly advocated, as their antimicrobial properties have been well researched

 Environment around the ATMs must be kept clean to avoid the transfer by environmental factors of pathogenic microbes to the ATM keypads.

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